Trim tray and can cover
A paint trim tray and can cover includes a container with an open top end and a closed bottom end. The bottom end is smaller in diameter than the opening in a paint can so that the container can be placed in the can. The top end of the container is larger in diameter than the can opening, but smaller than the diameter of the can cover, whereby, when the tray is placed in the can, the cover can be placed on the tray to protect the contents thereof from the atmosphere.
This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/859,962 filed Nov. 20, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a trim tray and can cover.
2. Description of Related Art
When painting molding, the corners of a room or the top and bottom edges of a wall which is often referred to as cutting or trimming, the usual practice is to use a brush rather than a roller. Moreover, rather than carrying around or climbing a ladder with a large paint can or tray, paint for cutting or trimming is often carried in a small container or a trim tray. When a taking break from painting, the usual practice is to at last partially re-seal the paint can by placing the lid back on the can. Meanwhile, the paint remaining in the trim tray can dry or form a surface film.
Accordingly, a need exists for something which performs the dual function of a small paint container or trim tray for use when painting trim and for temporarily covering the paint can and the trim tray during a break from painting. The object of the present invention is to meet this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention relates to a paint trim tray and can cover comprising a container having a circular cross section, said container including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from a periphery of said bottom wall, and an open top end; a lower end of said containing having a diameter less than the diameter of a paint can opening and an upper end of said side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the paint can opening and smaller than the diameter of a lid for the paint can, whereby the tray can be inserted into the open top end of a paint can to temporarily seal the latter, and the lid can be placed on the open top end of the tray to seal the tray.
The invention is described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference to
A second embodiment of the tray of the present invention is illustrated in
The diameter of the tray a short distance above the ledge 15 is slightly less than the diameter of the open top end of the paint can 7. Thus, as best shown in
Referring to
In all embodiments of the invention, it is preferable that the height of the tray is such that the tray does not interfere with the conventional wire can handle, i.e. prevent rotation of the handle between the rest position against the can side and an elevated use position.
Claims
1. A paint trim tray and can cover comprising a container having a circular cross section, said container including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from a periphery of said bottom wall, and an open top end; a lower end of said containing having a diameter less than the diameter of a paint can opening and an upper end of said side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the paint can opening and smaller than the diameter of a lid for the paint can, whereby the tray can be inserted into the open top end of a paint can to temporarily seal the latter, and the lid can be placed on the open top end of the tray to seal the tray.
2. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, wherein said side wall tapers downwardly from said open top end to said bottom end of the container
3. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall includes a ledge at one side thereof, said ledge having an inner edge for wiping a brush to remove excess paint.
4. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 3, including projections on said inner edge of said ledge for facilitating paint removal from a brush.
5. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 3, wherein said inner edge of said ledge is convex for causing bristles of a brush to flare outwardly during excess paint removal.
6. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 3, wherein said ledge slopes inwardly from said side wall, whereby paint on said ledge can flow downwardly to the bottom of the container.
7. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, wherein said side wall includes a cylindrical bottom portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the paint can opening, a top portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of the paint can opening and smaller than the diameter of the paint can lid, and an annular ledge between said bottom and top portions for seating on the top of the paint can.
8. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 2, including a wire extending across the interior of the container near the open top end for wiping a paint brush.
9. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, including an annular, convex rim on the upper end of said wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 19, 2007
Publication Date: May 22, 2008
Inventor: Normand Blanchard (Gatineau)
Application Number: 11/984,468
International Classification: B65D 1/34 (20060101);